Blog CIAJ-ICAJ

A law student. A mobile legal clinic. An observation: access to justice and the accessibility of its services are not quite the same thing. A firsthand perspective that reminds us that access to justice is also—and above all—built through engagement with the people it serves.

Environmental Law: Where Do We Stand, in Practical Terms?
The interactive report from CIAJ’s 49th Annual Conference — by Sarah Rowe — highlights key issues: Indigenous rights, environmental justice, and the climate crisis.

Ariane Savard, a law student at the Université de Montréal and an intern at CIAJ, provides a comprehensive summary of Cowichan Tribes v. Canada (2025)—an unprecedented decision by the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

“Abusive dynamics often do not end with separation — in fact, the opposite is often true.” — Supreme Court of Canada — SCC. Dr. Ilana Dodi Luther & Emily Tallon examine post-separation coercive control and the legal system’s response.

Articling student Ignacia Méndez reviews key themes discussed during CIAJ’s 49th Annual Conference. In this post, she highlights the crucial role of courts in bringing environmental law principles to life, the need for cooperation across disciplines and jurisdictions to address the climate crisis, and the value of Indigenous governance and legal pluralism for both sustainability and economic prosperity.

In this blog post, Christine O’Doherty, lawyer and Executive Director of the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice, reflects on her journey to Armenia as part of the Technical Assistance Partnership Project, sharing both professional insights and the human experiences that shaped her visit.

University of British Columbia PhD student Dayna Rachkowski highlights the key themes addressed during the third day of CIAJ’s 49th Annual Conference. In her post, she explores the role of law in adapting to our current climate crisis and its intersection with Indigenous stewardship, the right to a healthy environment, and sustainable corporate practices.

Cambridge graduate Hannah Bindman reflects on key themes discussed during days two and three of CIAJ’s Conference on Democracy, the Rule of Law, and Independence. Focusing on two panels, she discusses the impact that online platforms and communities can have on our democratic institutions, as well as the role of civic education and the need for investment in media literacy and transparent communication.

Lakehead University law student Emma DuCharme discusses her impressions of second day of CIAJ’s 49th Annual Conference. In this post, she highlights key moments from Day 2 and, drawing on her background as a Registered Professional Forester, considers the question, “What does it mean to make a “good” decision in the context of natural resource development?”

Why is the rule of law the invisible foundation of prosperity? Growth is not based solely on roads and ports. It is based on trust: knowing that a contract will be honoured, that a dispute will be resolved fairly, that the rules apply to everyone.
For 30 years, Canada has been helping partners in Bangladesh, Mongolia, Mexico and elsewhere to strengthen their judicial systems. The result? Small businesses that can finally compete, long-term investment and shared growth.